Question

How do the transition state and temperature relate to catalysis? What do catalyst do to increase the rate of a reaction?

Answer 1

Generally, catalysts pay an important role in chemical reactions. The most important characteristic property of a catalyst is that reduces the energy barrier of the reactant molecules. If the energy barrier is lowered ie. activation energy will be reduced. so the reaction will be faster.

A catalyst can supply the energy to the reactants, can provide the surface area to the reactants, some times participates in the reaction etc....

In the abscence of a catalyst, since the reactant molecules are not having sufficient energy to cross over the barrier, we need to supply the energy to the reactants externally by means of heating the reaction mixture. If the temperature is supplied externally, the internal energy of reactant molecules increases so that they reaches the threshold energy and the products will form. So temperature plays a role in the absence of a catalyst.

I have shown this phenomena in the above figure.

Please let me know if u have any further queries on this answer. Thanks.